DUEL WAS "OFF."

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13465, 11 May 1914, Page 7

DUEL WAS "OFF."

Representative Borland, of Mislburi/ gives an account of the challenge to a duel which occurred in Louisiana, supposedly among the last challenges of that environment in the State. The affair 'was between a gentleman who belonged to one of the oldest families there and a sturdy blacksmith of Georgia, who had become a man of political influence. "The- gentleman took offence at some remarks of the Georgian and sent him. a, challenge. The powerful blacksmith was nonplussed. ' - • " 'I know nothing about this duel- 1 ling business,' said he, 'and I positively will not fight.' " 'You must,' urged his friend. 'No gentleman can refuse.' " 'I. am not a gentleman,' replied the honest citizen of Georgia. 'I'm only a blacksmith.' " 'But you will be ruined if you do not fight,' continued his friends. 'You will have the choice of weapons, and you can choose so as to give yourself an equal chance', with your adversary.' "The giant requested time in which to consider the matter, and ended by accepting. Ho sent the following reply to the Louisiana gentleman:— " 'I accept, and, in the exercise of my privilege, I stipulate that the duel shall take place -in Lake Pontchartrain, in six feet of water,' sledge hammers to be.used as* weapons.' "As his adversary was about five feet eight inches in height, and the blacksmith was seven feet, the conceit of the latter so pleased the Louisiana gentleman that . ho declared himself, satisfied, as he was one who could appreciate a joke as -w-ell as perpetrate one, and he declared the duel off."